OT: my dental woes:((

Victoria

I am always scared to go to the dentist but unfortunately, I seem to be always having some kind of issues with my teeth despite me trying to take good care of it. Just recently I had a crown put on one of my teeth and now its hurting. I already had a root canal done on that tooth long time ago(10-15 years)so I can't think what it can possibly be. I called my dentist and he tells me I should wait couple of days and see what happens. If it continues to bother me, he will have to refer me to the specialist because I may have to have a root canal redone. I'm wondering if I am doing the right thing by waiting a few days and should I have just insisted that he sees me. Man, I had the root canals done before(i have several of them and it was always a horrible experience) so I am freaking out:((. Why me?!

13 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

Meredith1953

Veteran

I'm so sorry that you are anticipating having work done! I hate any form of cavity filling or drilling etc and just are so thankful that I haven't had to have any done in many years! Hope it all comes out ok!

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ugh, I'm sorry!

I have issues with my gums so I sympathize. Just went to the periodontist today and it looks like I need another gum surgery this summer -- I had to laugh because he called it a "nip/tuck" on my "flabby" gums in one spot of my mouth that seems to be a recurring problem. At least it's something I've already endured once so i kind of know what I'm in for.

I am lucky though that I have avoided root canals and crowns. My husband has had so many root canals I can't count them.

Can you stand it for a couple more days? I hope it all gets sorted out as painlessly as possible!

13 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

So sorry for you!
Hugs!
If the dentist says to wait, I would.
Do you tend to grind your teeth at night, or clench your jaw when stressed? This might be the culprit. In this case ibuprofen and some relaxation might improve the situation a lot. Very often stress, (more than canal) are the *root* of the problem!

13 years ago

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

^actually, I do grind my teeth at night but I have a feeling that this is not the culprit here. I guess I am just preparing myself for the worst case scenario mentally. Trying to relax is kind of hard for me since I am more of "worry wart" person but I will try my best. thanks for support, hon:)

13 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I can relate - too well. But it's not always bad news. Once when I had a crown "acting up" I tried Kava Kava (herb) at night to see if it would help me relax and not clench on that side. Crowns can be tricky to get used to I think and it's probably in our nature to clench when sleeping when we feel something "off." Anyway, after a few days this seemed to really help. If the root canal was disturbed from the crown maybe it is just still sore/healing? It could take a week or so to heal...

13 years ago

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

Janet: I had some issues with my gums last summer and my former dentist was totally pushing me to get gym surgery. I actually went for consult with a specialist but ended up not doing it because of the price(which is outrageous)but now I am glad I didn't. I talked to several people who told me t hat it was more of a temp fix and that their issues came back eventually. I was looking for alternative solution to this and found something that was quite successful for me. You can pm me if you are interested.

13 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

So sorry you're having these issues with pain and anxiety over what it might be. No advice for you, but I'll send healing vibes and well wishes your way!

13 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Hugs to you, Victoria! I have had some nightmarish dental issues in the past and if it's any comfort, a root canal is far from the worst case scenario! (Says the woman with the extraction, bone graft, implant, and follow-up gumline nip/tuck. Yep, that's four surgeries...)

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Victoria, have you ever had a root canal done by a specialist? I've had three, and none of them were what I would describe as a horrible experience. And before I had my first one, the idea of a root canal terrified me. Even the term "root canal" would make me break out into a cold sweat. Anyway, eventually a tooth died and I needed an emergency one, so my dentist suggested seeing the endodontist (root canal specialist). She said the root canal failure rate was really low when done by the specialist, because he has a lot of, well, special equipment and expertise. She was right. It was long and tedious, to be sure, but the results were very satisfactory. I've had him do two more since then, and no problems.

The downside, of course, is that the specialist is more expensive. But they're my damn teeth -- I'll FIND the money!! Like you, despite excellent oral hygiene, I've had a lot of problems over the years. It's so depressing when I go to have my teeth cleaned and they praise me for having hardly any plaque, and I STILL have problems...but oh well. Could be worse, I suppose.

Anyway, going to see the specialist to have a root canal re-done might work out better than you think.

13 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

Crowns (and any dental work) can hurt for a few days or so because of the tender nature of the surrounding area - it has to recover. I think he is right to suggest a week of waiting.
I have had a few root canals (one partially without anesthesia) and it hurt for a bit and was sore for 24 hrs but that was it.
If you go to a new surgeon/dentist I suggest playing up how nervous you are - they do take more care that way! Also, they should be able to tell via xray if there are roots that must be dealt with - it's not exploratory thing I don't think.
Do you have a night guard for the grinding? I have one and hate wearing it - and only wear occasionally (I must fling it out during the night....) but grinding causes so many issues and wear and tear. I must be committed to wear mine.

Good luck and vibes for healthy teeth!

13 years ago

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

Elizabeth: I have several root canals done by specialists and these were all quite painful(during the procedure and after) so maybe it was just my bad luck. I actually just called my dentist and he told me that I should just call the specialist and go there first. So I will see if I can get in tomorrow. Agh...

13 years ago

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

I called 5 doctors and noone can see me before Monday...This is going to be one fun weekend:(

13 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Hugs, Victoria. Sorry about the wait. In the meantime, have you any cloves at home? Keeping one in your mouth dulls the pain considerably. Just make sure to only keep it a couple of hours at a time, or it can give you a sore or numb tongue/cheek! But you can use 4-5 a day till you're ready to see the doctor.

13 years ago

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